4 Jun 2015

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Liverpool have today confirmed the signing of Manchester City bit-part player James Friggin' Milner, a so-called 'creative' midfielder who averages an amazing one goal every eleven games (over the last 5 years). To add insult to injury, it appears that Milner is set to become LFC's highest paid player, AND take the coveted number-7 shirt, graced in the past by infinitely superior players like Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Peter Beardsley, Steve McManaman, and Luis Suarez. Jesus wept.

"Liverpool are delighted to announce a deal has been agreed to sign James Milner from Manchester City, subject to a medical"

Subsequent reports claim that Liverpool will pay Milner a whopping £150k-a-week, which (if true) is utterly ridiculous and totally undeserved.

A few points:

* I just cannot conceive of a world where Liverpool pay James Milner £150k per-week. The idea is nauseating, and it's anyone's guess why a statistically average British footballer nearing the end of his career is worth that much. Even if it's £120/£130k, it's still too much.

* The signing of Milner - who cost Man City £26m - signifies (IMO) the end of Liverpool as a serious force in European football. The Reds have been falling down the pecking order for years, but players like Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia, Torres, and Suarez ensured that the club stayed afloat, and were able to compete at the top level.

* With the departure of Gerrard - the club's last remaining world-class player - that is now over. Signing Milner is depressingly indicative of the systematic lowering of standards at Anfield, and symbolises a fatal (and potentially damaging) lack of ambition. The lowering of standards is evident in the enthusiastic reaction by fans and some ex-Reds, who've been conditioned by years of transfer failure to accept and champion inferior players.

* Will Milner attract top players to the club? Will others be excited to play alongside him? Will he inspire Liverpool's youngsters? Is he capable of having a transformative impact at Anfield? No chance. Milner is a typical huff-and-puff British football: he'll run all day, tackle, and hustle etc, but that is not - and should not be - the primary role of a number 7, or the team's main midfield playmaker.

* Milner's creative stats are just not good enough, especially in the league. Prem stats for the last 5 years:

* Liverpool are paying £150k-per-week for a player who scores one goal every 647 minutes? Is this a joke? Sadly, not - it's transfer negligence of the highest order yet again. That said, if someone can credibly justify such a gargantuan salary for a player with Milner's creative output, I'm listening.

* Make no mistake: Milner is an attacking midfielder, and Manuel Pellegrini confirmed this in March, when he told reporters: "Whatever position I put him in he plays well: attacking midfield, wide, or as a striker. I used him this season as a forward".

Unless Rodgers deploys Milner as a holding/defensive midfielder, he will be an AM for Liverpool, which means his primary role is to score and create goals (and history proves he doesn't do that regularly enough).

* On a related note: Milner is not a DM, so playing him there will be another square peg in a round hole. Plus, if DM is a priority, why not spend the money on a dedicated DM?

* Are we seriously to believe that after all the scouting 'upgrades' over the last two years (including poaching Man City's scouting team) that Milner is the best player in world football that Liverpool could find for £150k-a-week? If that's the case, then the senior scouting hierarchy needs to be replaced ASAP.

* When are Liverpool going to learn: Expensive British players rarely make the difference. Keane, Johnson, Carroll, Downing, Allen, Cole, and Lallana cost a combined £133m, yet utterly failed to take the club forward. Now, despite that history, the Reds have decided to follow the same route again. As Albert Einstein famously said: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

* Liverpool's biggest problem during the recent train-wreck of a season was the inability to consistently score goals, with goals from midfield a particularly acute issue. To resolve that, Rodgers' solution is...to bring in a player who's never scored more than seven league goals in one season, AND, in 2010, went an entire league season without scoring a single goal (Stewart Downing, anyone?).

* As a squad player (like he is at Man City), Milner would be an astute acquisition, but it's clear (especially from the alleged salary) that Rodgers sees him as some kind of saviour, and mainstay of the team who - like Gerrard - will play most games.

* If Milner is such a major asset, why is he a perennial bit-part player at Manchester City? Simple: he doesn't contribute enough to be a regular starter, and a wily manager like Pellegrini is intelligent enough to know that huff-and-puff football will not win you the title. Real game-changing quality is what matters, which is why Yaya Toure et al are always preferred.

* Milner does not have the game-changing quality, or end product to truly elevate a team, but Rodgers seems to think he's exactly that type of player. Indeed, LFC's boss suggested as much in a recent press conference, when he raved: "James is a wonderful player. He's an outstanding footballer, and has been since I saw him at Leeds as a young player".

* So, what exactly will Milner bring to the team? Industry, stamina, running, tackling, physicality, and fight. These are all well and good, but that description applies to Jordan Henderson, and he scores even less than Milner.

* Hendo displayed the aforementioned qualities last season, and the club still limped into sixth place in the league. An attacking player can run 20 miles a game, but if he doesn't score on a regular basis, it will be detrimental for the team, and Hendo, Lallana, Markovoic et al proved that last season.

* If Klopp, Ancelotti, or De Boer were in charge of Liverpool right now, would they sanction a move for Milner? Of course not, as they're able to attract better players, and they'd probably take one look at his creative output and totally reject the transfer.

I'll inevitably be slammed for being negative about this transfer, but what exactly is there to be positive about? Sorry, but I can't get excited about a player whose biggest selling point appears to be his colossal stamina, and a prodigious ability to run and tackle.

Mark my words, Milner will not make the difference. Over the last 10 years, he's averaged 3 league goals a season, and he will maintain that average at Liverpool. Even if he improves on it, and grabs more than 5 goals (which is what he got this season), it still won't be enough.

Just consider this: Man City paid £26m for Milner, and this is what they got for that money:

* 19 goals/45 assists in 203 games.

* Goal every 11 games | Assist every 4.5 games.

Objectively, and without bias, did Man City get value for money in any way, shape, or form? Adam Lallana also cost £26m, and if he ends his Liverpool career with only 19 goals in 5 years, will you be happy with that?

Tha said, I want to be proven wrong, as it means that Liverpool will be doing well, and that, ultimately, is the most important thing. As such, I will be hoping (and expecting) Milner to make an immediate and consistent impact at Anfield.

I don't believe that is an unreasonable expectation. Milner is an experienced 29-year old player in the prime of his career, so the age old excuse of 'settling-in time' should be off the table, especially for £150k-a-week.

Ultimately, it all boils down to this: Carra to Sakho/Lovren; Suarez to Lambert, and now, Gerrard to...Milner?

1. Liverpool haven't been a European force in years. This doesn't signify the end of anything. We haven't signed a major European player in years. This is no different.

2a. It's a good signing for a free transfer. 2b. He's being paid way too much. He should be around 100k.

3. Let's see if he actually gets the number 7. The Star is certainly known for its sensationalism.

4. I think he'll be a nice player for us. And I don't really hold his goal/assists record against him since he wasn't included in Man City's plans every single week. It's tough to get in a groove when you're not playing consistently. They are a talented team, and the fact that he didn't play every week is not so much an indictment of his talents. After all, Man City made quite the push to keep him supposedly.

5. He's a nice player but he can't be the centerpiece to our summer activity.

I disagree about Liverpool not being a European force 'for years'. I don't specifically mean a force in Europe (i.e. CL etc), I mean a team that's capable of attracting top European players, and has the capability of doing well in Europe. With the likes of Torres, Suarez et al, the Reds could still strike fear into the hearts of top Euro opposition (just ask Real Madrid). Will Milner and Hendo be able to do the same? No.

You've obviously not watched alot of james milner...he's a wonderful player...great touch always looking to move forward...he's going to be a fantastic signing for us and ill look forward to your apology! (In the nicest possible sense)

Hard to disagree with your analysis Jaimie. The numbers speak for themselves regarding his creative output. Do we know for sure that he is coming in on 150K a week wages? I have always enjoyed watching Milner and hope that he will bring some much needed steel to the team's spine. Too often this past season the team looked directionless especially in the most meaningful games. Maybe he can help change that?

I've watched Milner for years. I don't just watch LFC. What you've said about him being 'fantastic' is, with respect' just empty rhetoric. The proof is in the pudding: he averages 3 league goals a season over 10 years, and that is not fantastic, no matter how much you try and spin it.

People said similar things about Carroll, Downing, Lallana etc, but words don't move LFC forward; regular goals and assists do.

Hang on, how often was Milner played out of position, as a RB or RM or false 9. Also why is this one of the few occasions you didn't do a combined goals/assist stat 1 goal/assist every 3.2 games again primarily playing out of position, and/or coming on as a substitute.Milner is far better than you give him credit for which is why City wanted him to stay Arsenal wanted to sign him and even United sniffed around for a bit. Admittedly if he's our only signing I wouldn't be happy but I'd take him over a number of other players.Also a number of sources have said he's on £100ishK a week. I wouldn't go with what the Star say.

What an awful report, nothing but negative clap trap. Milner has not always been deployed as an attacking midfielder so just chucking stats at the signing is pointless.

What does he bring to the table? Simple! All the points you mentioned as a negative about hard work and good attitude, something many Liverpool players were devoid of last season.

He has won 2 Premier titles which shows he knows how to get over the line. Something we have been devoid of.

Experience. If you look at our potential squad next season then only Skertle (if he stays), and Toure (should have gone) are above 30, then you have Milner at 29 and Lucas I think is 27/28. We are so young it is unbelievable, we need a bit of age in there to settle the younger players down.

We need to start talking our club up instead of looking at every little chance to give it a kicking.

I think you are being a bit harsh. I think Lucas will leave (and God knows I want Allen to go with him). Milner will be the experiences player in our midfield. No he is not going set the world alight, but with Gerrard gone we could do with someone like Milner in the squad. I think we will be looking at the like of Mateo Kovacic; and the idea of that star/big name signing has to disappear from our mindsets as we have never made such signing in recent history.

We need to get in the likes of Origi, Kovacic, Vietto, etc young players that are considered to very very promising, that are getting some first team exposure and hope we improve them. The reality is we will not compete with the likes of PSG, Manc's. Chelski, etc financially. It is the only route we have to try get CL and footi and then hold our position in the top 4/3 to build on from. Gone are the days when we can throw our name into the hat for big players and some other teams might back away.

I see whee you are coming from from a statistical point of view but there may be some element of truth to his argument, albeit a small one. Once the deal had been announced there were Man City fans who were moaning about what a big loss he will be and how he brings so much to the team; its looks to me like he is a very appreciated and underrated player from City. Even though he was a bit part player at City, they were still willing to offer him £165,000 per week and he STILL turns them down, so at least he is not a "Mercenary" who jumps at money the first chance he gets(I know 150k a week is a lot but that hasn't been confirmed as I've seen reports of him being paid 100k per week), he wants first team football and he has the passion and desire to move clubs to get it.

Presumably Milner will act as a defensive mid so scoring isn't the issue. Given all the other choices out there fro DM, I am disappointed by this addition and the cost. The upside here is with Emre Can no we can finally nuke Allen who is truly useless. If we throw in sales of all the other deadwood, Milner's addition won't be so bad. If we continue to keep Allen the 'Welsh Xavi' (in your f*&kin dreams), Markjovic, lallana Enrique, Johnson,Coates, Borini, Lambert and Balo, we will surely stink like hell next year........PLEASE DEAR GOD, BRING US TWO HARD WORKING CLINICAL AND FAST FOOTED STRIKERS, A REAL BIG BOY ATTACKING MID AND A GK!

Lets put this in an economical light. If Milner were to play consistent football for Liverpool for the next 4 years that comes at a price tag of 7.2 million pounds. Is 150k unseemly, yes, they all get paid too much, most of us would do it for free. So 7.2 million for 4 years when including transfer (and salary) we paid for Lambert in the neighborhood of 5 million for one putrid season, I start to question where your logic stems if you acan't do the math. All said and done a prudent if not world shattering move.

what we get from Milner (and we do need it) is a never-die-attitude. Last season against teams like Basel in the CL he would not have stopped playing football like we did! no, he would have been running and fighting until the last second and that is IMO worth more than 5 extra goal a season. Yes I do think he can inspire other players! If you have someone next to you who will kick your ass and never stops running, you will aswell... maybe not Balo but that's something else. Yes his endprocut could be better and his wage is excessive but he was for free.

I am very pleased with this but if he should be our marquee signing - then good night

We finished 2'nd last year and we still couldn't attract big players my friend. But i do think milner is a good signing for the club on a free transfer, unfortunately its were we are at moment. Every liverpool supporter would love to see big name's players come to the club. Its just not going to happen until rodgers and fsg are gone. YNWA

They are not bad players. They have just not been given a chance. When we go around buying players like the Frigman and Lallana and neglect players not too worse than them, there is a problem. We cannot conclusively say Lallana was any better than Suso or Allen any better than Shelvey. IMO, the fact that these guys are not in the team does not represent their talent because there are clear issues in selection in he team.

Worst decision ever. I love LFC but seriously the biggest waste of money possible. 150k a week for James Milner. Transfer committee needs to be abolished and I was not on the sack BR train but I just boarded. How can this signing not leave a bad taste in your mouth? Can we just go after Jackson Martinez and Vietto please. I read this and I'm now ill. 6th might be tough to reach next season but we will be hussling around not scoring goals which I guess is where we are now. Goodbye CL and any hope of winning the league.

I have to agree with Jaimie on this one. The Frigman for all the fascination about his nomenclature, is not that great of a player. I cannot believe that we have come to a state where we are celebrating signing players like the Frigman like they are our saviours. Just on other websites, some people are lauding BR for beating Arsenal to Frigman's signature which really says something about how low standards have dipped. He is an alright player but if you offer him to Leverkusen, Schalke, Sevilla, Valencia, Napoli or Fiorentina, would they take him. Of course not!!

I've changed my mind about James Milner.He isn't the megastar most Liverpool supporters crave but he's the kind of player every successful club has in their squad.A hardworking versatile, unsung hero type, who gives a team balance, energy and has big match moments of influence & quality.Liverpool are getting a experienced consistent performer guaranteed to play to a good level whenever selected.I'm still hungry for us to bring in superstars (or players that can realistically reach that standard) but I think Milner will be a decent signing.The issue I have with the deal is his marquee wages.150k too much!

Just read phil Thompson view...milner had 7 assists last season (and 8 goals)..gerrard had 1 assist...from more games... on top of that ozil had 5 assists/4 goals from just a few less...willian had 4 goals 4 assists from a full season...juan mata had 10 goals and 4 assists...We now have to midfielders who are gonna way in with 15 goals/assists a season...

I partially agree. But you will have to concede back when we had Masch, Alonso, Torres; their were not many teams out their that were willing to pay the silly wage and spend the silly money. Now we have PSG, Manc's, Chelski, Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern, all heavy weights when it comes to finances. You also would know that we got Torres from Athletico Madrid when they were not big in spain, we got Suarez when he already has a reputation for bad pitch behavior from Ajax in the dutch league, we got Alonso from Real Sociedad, Masch from West Ham (and third party), all these players established themselves as top top players at out club after showing promise at what would so called smaller teams (then). We need to continue and buy the best young players.

That is why I have been wanting Kovacic, Vietto, Scuffet/Leno, Youri Tielmans, William Carvalho, Firmino, Leon Goretzka, Timo Werner, Patrick Roberts, Heung Son Min, Richairo Zivokovic, Aleksandre Mitrovick - we should be looking at these types of players, young players that are getting first team football and showing real promise in the first team.

Think this is a bit of a harsh assessment. Yes, IF the wages are 150k/week that seems high, but apparently, he is regarded as being worth it by more than one team. I don't see him as a goalscorer, but rather a steady "link" player that will provide much needed presence and fight in the middle to allow our craetive players to flourish. Yes, we need strikers, but don't think we will secure anyone of note...paying 150k wages to Milner wont make a difference in that regard. Milner, Hendo in the middle with Can behind them wouldn't be bad. Imo

I think Liverpool needed someone like Milner now that Stevie is gone. We lack maturity and fight as a team. We do however need desperately match winners who can turn a game on its head and score vital goals....know any?

Last year we had 2nd place, manager of the season, improved stadium plans and ecstatic fans to lure players.....we could have done much better than who we brought in...the biggest mistake was not buying a top established striker!

You are comparing strikers with an all round midfielder...Just saying. Worst decision ever!? Well that is the most ridiculous statement I've read in years. You wont recognise quality when its in front of you. We got him for free so his wages are quite normal. If you want to compete you need to pay up.

sometimes it is hard not to think liverpool are going in the same path as AC Milan.letting go of their and signing players who are good squad players.the only thing milner brings is valuable experience but is that enough.With milner in and no settled midfield we are looking at another transition season

Can't do anything but agree with you. Addition of Milner to the squad will only keep us where we're at. As a club like Liverpool, we should always be striving to get better.

Nothing against Milner, but he just isn't what we NEED. Free transfer is always better than cashing out money, but it seems quite clear that Rodgers expects Milner to improve our squad, which is quite sad, considering that ''we will be making signings to improve our squad, and not just add depth''.

Much better choices out there if you look, but to me it looks as if FSG made a joke of themselves here as well, not sacking BR.

Milner is a soild prem player who puts a 6 or 7 out of 10 performance in every week in no known universe is he worth 150g a week ...hes no better than hendo and not a lot better than either lucas or allen dark days ahead

He isn't exactly the most exciting singing. He is a decent player and I don't mind Liverpool singing him on a free. He has lots of experience and isn't a bad player, but for £150k, that's too much. I hope he has a good impact on the team though. Good luck to him.

Okay, so arguably the best midfielder we have is Henderson! Comparably, Milner has far more impressive stats than Henderson, and this is as a bit part player in a Championship winning squad! A bit part player in a squad that has some of the biggest names in world football. Ultimately, Milner knows what it takes to win, he knows what it means to play with the best. He has more winning and big game experience than our best midfielder! All this put together makes Milner a more complete and better player than Henderson. Milner is not our saviour but he definetly is an improvement on what we currently have in our ranks!!

But he was not a superstar at the time we bought him (hence he only cost us 22.5m at the time).

Every player over the past 6-odd years or so that we have bought has some sort of "warts" that enable us to get him. They have some major issue that we have to look beyond. With Suarez it was his biting. With Sturridge, his injury history. Coutinho, his unfulfilled potential.

You can't judge a player just on his creative stats remind me how many goals or assists did alonso, masherano ? Milner will be good to help start attacks and dictate play. I'm happy with this signing and it's on a free.

I'm sure the rest of the squad are absolutely livid that we're getting a player for free who's taking a pay cut, seemingly snubbed 2 CL teams in favour game time, has 50 odd England caps, has perennially been described by fellow players, ex players and pundits as a good under-rated player, won the league twice and created 52 chances last season despite being played in every midfield position and upfront.

Milner is not here to save us and make us the best team in England! He is here to improve the squad! Lucas, Allen, Lallana...Henderson... Is he an improvement on any of these lads. Definetly!!! He's been a lot more impressive than these guys, even as a bit part player!

the problem with a british type manger is they are attracted to a similar ilk of player, its a major pitfall in there coaching makeup ......milner appeals to rogers because hes a safe company man who will tow the line ....he has shown with balo and others that he cant manage continental players because for me he doesn't have the charisma or social skills to sell his '' idea of football'' and i use that term loosely

Not sure how you work that out Gil. 115g per week over 3 years is just under 18m or 150g per week over 3 years is a little under 23.5m ... Are you adding some sort of (unannounced, rumoured) signing on fee to that or have I missed something, which is entirely possible

Yes more improving, that usually happens every season. One point needs to be emphasised. What does Liverpool need right now, considering the position we are in?? We CANNOT attract the best players in the world! We need players who can come in NOW and get us to that level where we CAN buy the best. We need players who can come and get the Job done. And Milner is one of those players. Our first eleven will NEVER rank with the best and therefore attract the best until its evidenced by us winningn titles or consistently finishing in the top four! Do you honestly think we can go out and get Modric or Pogba with where we currently are?

An attacking midfielder who played the majority of his games wide in the midfield or on the wing. He's a midfielder who gets forward yes, but he was only very sparingly used as a creative attacking midfielder. The only game I remember him playing as an out and out AM was, I think although I may be wrong, against Man Utd towards the end of the season

Some are mate. Some really, really are... It might be up for debate but I highly doubt any of those clubs would want him... He is definitely not "too good" for those clubs that I hate to say but are all in a better state than us.

saying he is a 26M is just more hyperbolic headlines... he is another overrated brit on the downside of his career that we picked up on the cheap.. the same people who raved about josephine cole are the ones saying what a great singing he is... just more overrated average crap to drag us down to mediocrity next year... we are assembling a team worthy of a fantastic 7th place run next season...

I wouldn't describe Henderson as an attacking midfielder ... There seems to be a little too much Football Manager / FIFA type classification of players.Just an example or maybe a peek behind my reasoning for this - Oscar and Roy Keane, both attacking midfielders? I'd say Oscar yes, Roy Keane as a midfielder did attack but I never considered him an attacking midfielder.

And, if you can clear it up for me, how am I making excuses for Milner? I'm saying he's not exactly an attacking midfielder, not that his stats (for whatever they're worth) should be discounted because he's an attacking midfielder that's been played out of position.

Also who's to say he's been told he'll play an "attacking midfielder" role at LFC? Like you said Mascherano was a DM (at LFC anyway) and following on from that reasoning, Milner was an AM (at MCFC anyway)

Have you heard any man city fans happy to see him go? No, the exact opposite. I'll take this transfer all day for free. Yep hefty salary but you know it will be laden with performance related elements.

Now let's get konoplyanka for free before he ends up at Stoke. That would be transfer negligence

Yep. I'm Ron Jeremy in bed, and you're free to ask any of my ex's if they agree or disagree with me, although I could give you my educated guess at their answer.

Sure Henderson does attack as a midfielder but honestly how many times can you remember him being deployed by BR as the "attacking midfielder" you're alluding to him being? Would you put him in a 3 behind a lone striker?

Well now that we've signed Milner, and are close to concluding the Ings deal.. the following would seem to be clarified - even though no formal announcement from FSG - which is extremely disappointing.

1. BR is defo safe for the moment2. We seem to be trying to build a British team around Coutinho3. Solid over flair4. More than likely Sterling will now be sold, as I believe his relationship with the club/BR has broken down5. Likely formation next year will revolve around 2 in the middle (likely Hendo and Milner) with Can providing backup to those two, and Coutinho playing the #10 role6. Leaving whatever is left to play in the other positions (striker, LW and RW).

Could be the same story here masherano was a dm but now he's not same as Lucas was an am but we bought him to be an enforcer. Forget about milners creative stats we need some experience and a work horse who will allow Henderson more freedom. Just hope it's not another joe cole situation all over again.

I hope you're not a maths teacher, for a start 150 is more than 31 ;)But seriously 23,400,000 is still a lot of money for a guy who will be 32 when he comes to sign an extension, if he's offered one.Still, if he performs well in the centre of our midfield and has a positive effect in the dressing room in terms of professionalism and attitude, I'll take that.My thought process (not sure I've ever really had one of those) is something along the lines of -Imagine we bought Pjanic (for arguments sake) and spent 25 to 30m for him as well as 30m wages over his contract and we found out he's not suited to the prem, which is quite plausible. That would be a disaster compared to getting a player for 25 to 30m less who we arguably know pretty much what we're going to get from him

I just don't understand if BR/FSG trying to sign players on free and seems to be paying quite a sum of wage then why not try to bring in.....Dani Alves , Abate, Khedira , Nigel De jong , Konoplyanka , Luiz Adriano etc players like these....

Most of them wont agree to come but if Milner can have 150k or more... throw them more than the other clubs would offer surely they would come.... after all most of them want more money or regular football ...

In an ideal world even if Lfc could buy the likes of khedira or alves the would cost 20-30 millions or more.. so why not jump in grab while still you can I just have no idea ... I mean no idea at all...

FSG, Brendan Rodgers and the Transfer committee have systematically downgraded our squad. The season before last we played some outstanding football and came very close to winning the league but this was primarily due to having the most in form striker on the planet at the time (not Brendan Rodgers tactical genius) I can't see us competing for the league again for some time.

Single handedly dragging City back from a 2-0 scoreline against Bayern in Germany is indicative of an average player...Assist, winning a penalty and scoring a goalto win the game 3-2.... Reminds me of someone,, wonder who....

We're the only country that pays any attention to shirt numbers bing significant... I couldn't careless what his number is, I am only interested in his contribution... As for the wage, he didn't cost anything, and the fact he has no agent means no agent fees, he has saved LFC plenty already, so in the grand scheme of things, 150k, whatever.

When you are better than the vast majority in the game at tackling, running, closing down players and tactical positioning, and you play at a club that bought a dozen of the best ''fantasistas'' in the world it won't be your job to create goals right?

James Milner? Say hello to this year's Joe Cole. Like so many Liverpool signings - he's just an irrelevance. No top player would go anywhere near a Rodgers team.Tthey haven't sacked him so they can write off 2015 - 2016. I do hope Liverpool's next owners aren't Americans - they haven't a bloody clue.

Had a season ticket at City for his time there and have to say I think he'll be a great buy for Liverpool. He's clearly a worker and actually a talented footballer too. Not too sure he'll be able to produce on his own though. Milner always seems to me like the sort of player who works well with good players, without actually adding much himself. That said if Sturridge keeps fit and another good attacking player comes about, I'm confident he'll add a lot to the squad.

This analysis is so one sided its not true IMO No Milner is not Gerrard, nobody is. To say he is not a top player is rubbish though...his stats for the last two seasons are impressive considering his disadvantages. He is a victim of his own versatility. If you look at the games he has started this season (26 which is slightly more than a bit part player) they are evenly split between holding mid, number 10 and right and left wing with a couple appearances at RB and one as striker?!? That alone is a unfair to him when you are comparing his stats to other attacking midfielders who will usually just play in one position. Is it not reasonable to assume his return will improve if he is not constantly moved around?? If not then why does any player specialise in a position?? Remember Jamie Carragher? He was Jack of all trades and master of none until he was 25-26...because he was shunted around all the time...I think managers can fall into a trap there when players are smart enough to play anywhere (it even happened to Gerrard to an extent although he was so good he was the best RB in the league the few times he played there). I think there is an issue of people taking style over substance as well...he isn't an exotic big name like toure or Silva but he played well in the the games he started and always has for city (remember the fight back from 2-0 down at Bayern that he carried prety much solo) and he influenced the games he played as sub too (Anfield last season) . Just take a step back and ask yourself why city offered him £165k per week and why Kompany et al are tweeting their disappointment that he has left....Kompany referred to him as "inspirational", I am quite sure he won't be eulogising Dzeko or Jovetic in the same way when they go. Why does every single ex-player and pundit say it's a great signing? Lastly to his wages....it's £120k not £150k, that's been widely confirmed by multiple reports...equates to £6m per year or 24m total outlay over his contract....what is the going rate for a current England midfielder with two league title medals in the last three seasons? £20m?? Probably more like £25m in today's lunacy...so yes we are paying him more than we would normally but considering no fee and in a market where City wanted to pay him 40% more its good business. He got 8 goals last season from all those positions, I reckon playing central mid with Hendo he could be good for ten next year

This has been what everybody has said mate (and the fact is that the. sturridge injury and Balotelli/ Lambert not doing the biz are the sole reasons we didn't finish top four) but the trouble is who? Who was the established striker we should have bought? Nobody top class was available mate....we couldn't force PSG to sell Cavani or Lavezzi for example.....No club could with their finance. We might have got Falcao but thank God we didnt....who else? Bony was priced way over the odds and only scored once for city? Higuain maybe but he would have cost massive money if Napoli let him go at all. Jackson Martinez has a £40m buy out clause and Porto never accept less (because player is mostly not owned by them) therex was just a dearth of top level strikers available so they took a punt on Mario, who took a 50% pay cut to show willing....it didn't work out and sods law Studge gets injured. I

Jaimie, you logged in as Neutralred by mistake, it's ok we all knew. :-)

If Milner is an upgrade on Allen etc...and factoring in the fee the outlay for Milner is probably less than Allen, why should we be disappointed at all?? I don't remember anyone saying that we should only sign Milner as he is the saviour...my comments were in response to an article which goes at great length to say there is no merit in the signing...and I am articulating that it is not the case, which is a view held by every pundit and expert to a man, and by Man City players and their manager, who realised too late that he was the player they turned to in a crisis yet he never allowed home to establish himself in a specialist position.

How could you possibly know if De Boer could attract high quality players? He has only managed Ajax in his career, which at this moment in time is hardly comparable to the job at Liverpool. What pulling power would he have? None.